This is a blog created to document Grinnell College's SOL's 2014 trip to Guatemala

Final Reflections

A final reflection at we enter the snowy land we call Grinnell, IA. Leaving Guatemala was difficult. It was difficult to say goodbye to the friends we had made, Jenny and Jhonathan, at the airport. As we departed, it was difficult to wave goodbye to the beautiful green mountains knowing that we would be landing into icy hills. I did not miss Grinnell one bit after our adventures in Guatemala…

On the last day in Antigua during discussion, we wrote down a word that describes our whole experience in Guatemala, except Jhonathan put Guatemaya at the center instead of Guatemala. Guatemaya makes reference to the people of Guatemala, descendent of Mayans, and to changing the view that the country is truly Guate “mala”. Words such as educative, solidarity, knowledge, humbling, green, coffee, chingon, and inspiring were written down on the sheet. I put empowering. I think the trip through Guatemala’s history, culture, cities, foods, music, struggles, and triumphs empowered me in the sense that it enlightened me. I learned not only of individuals’ stories or the story of a community, but also about the structural problems that are causing the struggles that we witnessed. I learned where my coffee came from and what I’m supporting by buying Alianza coffee. I felt empowered as a consumer because it was reiterated how my choices as a consumer are important in supporting or not supporting a corporation. I felt empowered to see people standing up to the mining, standing up to landowners, and governing their communities. I felt more alive and in touch with myself after hiking the volcano. The fresh air refreshed my lungs and brain. Being in that sacred place brought me peace and serenity. I felt empowered after burning my fears and worries at the Mayan cosmovision ceremony and leaving with a greater connection to the earth. I took in the natural beauty of the country and the knowledge of the people through the lessons they taught us.

On this trip, not only did I meet new people from Guatemala, but I got to know the people in the group better. We learned and grew as a group. Although the group dynamic was set in Grinnell, the group bonded more each day as we met challenges and gained new knowledge. I have to say, my compañeros are some amazing Grinnellians that are going to do great things. I connected with Cassie and her love for the environment, which reignited my own respect and passion for preserving nature. I am excited to see the art that Martin and Amy will make in the future, perhaps inspired by the political art we saw. I would like to talk more with Enrique about his thoughts on politics. I would like Jason to teach me more about the education system in the US. Its always great to talk to Kiyan and connect our experience to all the concepts we learned in our seminars, both Economic and Spanish. James’ interest and respect toward the unfamiliar and unknown are sure to help in his chemistry experimentation and musical compositions. I loved that my fellow co-leader, Marlu, went on this trip and is as excited as I am to bring it back to SOL. Gabe learned with us and grew with us too, so he shared the same struggles and confusions as we did. I appreciated his knowledge of theory and his opinion as an educator as we all struggled to wrap our minds around some hard concepts.

The most important thing about the trip was that it was not a classroom setting. We weren’t graded on our thoughts or feelings about what we were learning. For once, I didn’t have to structure my thinking to please a grader. We openly talked about our thoughts, ideas, or feelings in any way that helped us process the information. We were honest with each other and with ourselves. I was able to let go of my fear of saying something wrong and be able to say what I really thought, even though what I was saying might not have been clearly thought out. It was a hands on experience, a real world experience, a human experience, and a humbling one. Seeing the world, actually seeing other parts of the world, brought a different perspective to the world we live in (being the US of A), which is actually really different than from the rest of the world. Talking to people, actually talking to people that are affected by the policies we talk about in class, taught me more about economy, political science, sociology, Spanish, anthropology, history, etc., than I will ever learn in Grinnell or any other institution. Because sometimes, being institutionalized isn’t enough. Sometimes taking a walk with a farmer is what we need to learn how a seed grows.

I decided to write my final reflection in English so that we could have some of our follows that haven’t had a chance to experience my point of view on the trip can now do so. That was wordy. I think I’m better at this in Spanish haha. Well, we got to spend our last day in Antigua, which was a very long drive; I think everyone shares the same sentiment when I say that we won’t be taking another road trip or driving in Iowa for A WHILE!

After just about 80% of us getting sick in some way shape or form, we were ready to have our last day be relaxing and spent as tourists. OH MY GOODNESS. When we weren’t bombarded by people selling their products and creations in the streets, we were being looked at as foreigners, which for me, was a different feeling. During the previous parts of the trip, I always felt comforted by the fact that although I was from the US and lived a luxurious life (or so everyone thought), I was still able to speak with and connect on some level through my spanish. And ofr ht efirst time during this trip, although I identified as “other” in the US, comfortable walking through a Latin American country to which I had never been, I was being categorized as the “other”, the rich, white “other”. For me, this was a very strange feeling, it made this day a little bit difficult to enjoy in the sense that it was a very relaxing day for shopping (who does that?? go to a foreign country and “shop”. UGH. First world problems. Privilege…every other word that you can think of. Patriarchy).

After a day and night here, we gave our last reflections and decided that it was not up to us to “help”, but to walk with people that suffer and struggle. Because they are not helpless, and we aren’t saviors. They are our brothers and sister. We are all HIJOS of some struggle. And all that we can do is be there to walk with them in solidarity. That is why SOL is starting a new chapter at Grinnell for social and political activism called “Grinnellian Latin American Solidarity Society”. Add us on Facebook, more to come !!

Our time in Guatemala has come to a complete circle, but now it is time for us to help share to our colleagues what we experience. I learn so many people history and background that I felt that they can be part of mine now. Elenor and Martin were the very first ones that I got to know. She was my eating partner and he was my driving and eating partner. In the second part of the trip we got to meet Don Vicente who had an excellent sense of humor and telling jokes. In the Puya mining camp, I meet with the women, men and kids that told there story. The group felt the bravery the women and men support for their women. I also connected to Andy, one of the children playing there like nothing. In the HIJOS group, we understood what Flor was telling us about not forgiving about the forgotten ones, because the government did not wanted to take responsibility. I also felt very connected to the testimonies of Edwin, Elias, both mens, and Kevin. I also like hearing what the three alums, that we had dinner with, where doing in Guatemala. The discussion we had with the professor was good about forgiving. The mayan professor was also excellent for learning what the whole ceremony meant and symbolize.

My group and I thank all the speakers and groups that took time out of their life to talk to us. Also Jenny and Jonathan and the group leaders for coordinating all the events that went smoothly as they did. Also all the drivers that drove us around Guatemala. We appreciated the time and efforts that they put in the program, I really enjoyed it. An experience of a life-time, but hopefully not the last.

Now that we are back in school, part of my heart felts empty when I’m not close to the group. I still get butterflies every time I reread this blogs or get images of our experience at this great cities that we spend time together. I miss James repetition of instructions and laugh, Kiyan out of nowhere comments, Marlu picking fights with Jason, Tanya sense of humor, Jason humility while talking at the people, Gabe keeping us on task, Amy drawing people from testimonies, Enrique learning partner (“L. P.”) laugh and thoughts, and Cassie gentle smile and sunny personality.

To conclude the Guatemala trip, I want to share this poem which I inspired to write when leaving Nueva Alianza. It was a farm two hours away from the Guatemala-Mexico border, and I had a strong sudden attachment to the scene when we drove by. Although I could not react fast enough to take a picture, I decided to write this poem dedicating to that view and the history hidden behind the country.

I am on the van

Looking at something, at somewhere.

I have no focal point,

Because everything were an instant.

I have no emotion, no sensation, and no acknowledgement,

Of struggles the Guatemalans suffered through,

Because everything were an instant.

I only see their smile and their colorful constumes,

Everything seemed very curious to me.

The instant views, I questioned,

Is that the real Guatemala I suppose to share

With others who never been there before?

I questioned myself, and closed the window on the van.

The views starts to pass through slower.

Under the black window, i see the complexities of the country:

The influence of colonization, the thirty-six-year internal conflict,

The disappearance, the genocide trial, the land struggles, the lack of education,

Ten days have gone by very fast and it has reached to the last portion of the trip, Antigua. Although I was not able to avoid feeling guilty when enjoying the material life at Antigua, I was still attracted by the colorful walls and the antique buildings. While on the street, I began to think about my privilege and all the presentations during the trip. I also observed the actions and emotions of other tourists. I learned that while I took many pictures “every other second” like a tourist, my perception have changed when I look at the Guatemalans.

Last night at the restaurant and today at the market place, I saw many traveling with their families or as a study group. Their smile reminded me the tourist billboards I mentioned on my first post; they came to Guatemala to relax, to buy pretty souvenirs at the lowest price, and to enjoy all types of luxury goods. In comparison to Guatemala City (except zone 10), Antigua definitely has more fancy restaurants and stores to shop, in which, a tourist would not be able to understand the current condition of the country. When I was wandering, however, I began to ask myself if the people begging for money on the street are deported migrants trying to gather money to return home. Or if the vendors in their indigenous costumes used to live with their indigenous tribes but are separated now due to resources exploitation and the internal conflict?

After all the informal conversations and presentations from the speakers and the drivers, I have a different view about Guatemala. In the future, I will not visit a country only for my joy, I will also try to understand the history, the struggles, and the outlook of that country.

I can’t believe Guatemala is over. Those ten days went by so fast and there is so much to say – but I’ll make this short.

My favorite cities were Antigua en Xela; I can’t just pick one!

My favorite food was: all of it!

My favorite experience: definitely the hike up Chikabal volcano and the Mayan ceremony (but also the concert by Sacate Jag!).

What I learned:

I think that the trip fulfilled its purpose of enlightening us on the history, culture, and current situation of Guatemala. It was very well-rounded in the information we received. I very much appreciated that we interacted with real people, rather than professionals who only study the issues; this made the experience sincere.

Coming into this trip, I expected Guatemalan’s to be very much like Mexicans – oppressed and submissive. I expected them to show a lack of willingness to change their current situation and a personality of giving up or believing that their situation is unchangeable. On the contrary, I was amazed to learn that Guatemalan’s have fought oppression for years and have not given up – they are still going strong. There was not a single rural or urban resident that ever said that their life situation ‘’is what it is’’; no Guatemalan that is oppressed seemed to be willing to accept the treatment they get from the government and society. The Guatemalans are very humble, very nice, and very welcoming. They work hard and are extremely intelligent. They have a desire to at least ameliorate their situation in a progressive way –starting a chicken business, exporting coffee, selling macadamia nuts, or selling purified water – rather than resorting to drug operations or criminal activity that could just as equally provide them a higher standard of living and is very common in Latin America. The Guatemalan people are not ready to give into the trend of trafficking and aggression; they are ready to be educated so that the business they have started or want to start can become more successful. Guatemalans, in short, are a very healthy people, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I highly believe that his is a must-do trip. As a co-leader of SOL, I will work to find funding to make this trip possible again for a new group. The trip will teach students through first hand experience. It is very mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding. I hope that our blogs will serve to inspire other students to part-take in this trip the next time it becomes possible.

Thank you for following the blogs. If anyone wishes to ask me more about my experience, feel free to email me at romerolu@grinnell.edu -I can even meet in person!